Our team

Amanda is completing her BA in Global Development Studies at the University of Calgary, with a focus on health, pluralism, and global citizenship. She is committed to building inclusive and equitable communities and driving change through research and collective action.

Annisha is a research assistant with TCIR. Previously a LINC instructor, she taught English to immigrants and refugees across various levels. She holds an MA in English with a research focus concerning intersectional feminisms and disenfranchised groups.

Dr. Kassan’s scholarly interests are informed by her own bi-cultural identity, and include presently includes two major foci. First, she is studying immigration experiences across different groups (i.e., newcomer youth, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples). Second, she is researching teaching and learning, investigating cultural and social justice responsiveness in professional psychology.

Emilie recently graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in Psychology (Honours). She is working on the Voices in the Art project, and coordinates the Beyond Translation program, which aims to mitigate negative impacts of Child Language Brokering.

Emily (she/her) is a dedicated project associate based in Calgary. With her background in psychology and sociology, Emily is passionate about fostering mental well-being among youth and social justice. Currently, she supports the Voices in the Art project.

Fatemeh is an expert in research methodology and data analysis at The Immigrant Education Society. She implements data-driven strategies to support evidence-based decision-making, enhancing the quality of life for immigrant communities through community-based research.

Gurleen, MRes, MSc, is an experienced qualitative researcher with expertise in community-based research involving vulnerable populations. She leads Voices in the Art, which uses an arts-based methodology to explore newcomer 2SLGBTQIA+ youths’ intersecting identities and experiences with gender-based violence.

Hamed is a historian and linguist at the University of Calgary, specializing in Eurasian Indigenousand Canadian Ethnography. His research focuses on linguistic and cultural identity formation, pluralism, and decolonial approaches, with particular attention to immigration and multiculturalism in Canada. He currently serves as a Research Associate at the TIES Centre for Immigrant Research (TCIR), where he contributes to IRCC’s Service Delivery Improvement (SDI) initiatives and policy development.

Janna Balequia is the Rise Program Coordinator, supporting newcomer communities through inclusive programming and mentorship. She collaborates with teams and leadership to foster safe, empowering spaces where individuals can grow, connect and build meaningful futures

Jenalyn (she/her) is a Psychology PhD student at the University of Toronto who researches the biopsychosocial experiences of marginalized communities through an intersectional lens. At TIES, she currently works on the LENS study, which examines the impact of work integration social enterprises on newcomer and BIPOC individuals in Alberta.

Katerina leverages program management expertise to champion social good. Passionate about equity, climate action, and sustainability, she leads initiatives at The Immigrant Education Society and seeks impactful opportunities to make a positive global difference.

Kreisha, an immigrant shaped by her experiences, is a leader dedicated to rooting herself in her new country and championing social justice. Committed to her advocacy, she empowers communities and uplifts individuals through research and innovative program development.

Nova Zeraati is a Canada-based multidisciplinary professional and community builder with more than a decade of experience leading projects ranging from civil engineering to software. Equipped with a master’s degree and certifications in project management, product management, and B2B sales, Nova works at the crossroads of technology, research, and social impact. Nova thrives on bringing people and ideas together to turn challenges into practical solutions.

Dr. Odessa Gonzalez Benson is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her research focuses on the intersection of immigration, service provision, and social justice, striving to understand and address disparities in access and quality of services for marginalized populations.

Thomas Tri is a Master of Social Work student at York University in Toronto, Ontario. His research interests focus on debility, migration, and sexuality. He currently contributes to the Voices in the Art project, exploring 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomer youths’ experiences in Calgary through arts-based engagement ethnography.